Firefly Beach
Meira PentermannMystery
Available from Lyrical Press
March 2009
| Beth LaMonte has left a passionless marriage and a busy career. The divorce disturbs her, but doesn't sadden her. She has moved from Albuquerque to a cottage on Penobscot Bay to pursue her dream of being an artist. A mysterious ball of light directs her to the diary of a young girl who disappeared more than thirty years earlier. And the forty year-old artist becomes determined to discover the truth about Katherine.
Pentermann is a talented writer. Her words flow smoothly and her characters are interesting, unusual, and believable. Beth's landlord Rob is cranky and antisocial. Talented jewelry maker Kenny harbors issues of his own. Mary is a chatty busybody who doesn't know as much as she thinks. And the missing Katherine is definitely complex. An old employer remembers her fondly, while a childhood friend dismisses her as selfish and scattered. Beth follows the clues in a logical and well-paced manner. Virginia Point is a pleasant seaside community, detailed and charming. I did find it difficult to believe that someone who hadn't painted in a dozen or so years could have commercial success so quickly. And there could have been more authentic descriptions of her materials and techniques. Beth resolves the mystery, while coming to terms with her own past. The paranormal aspects of the firefly that wasn't a firefly at all were incorporated into this modern day tale. Beth's psychic sensitivity makes for very pleasant reading.
Overall rating:
Reviewer: Lynn Bushey |
